Together with his group having fun with one thing of a mini-bye, Sean McVay was not in contrast to tens of millions who spent a lot of the vacation weekend watching NFL soccer.
Although the Rams coach is targeted on making ready his gamers for Sunday’s recreation towards the New York Giants, McVay saved an in depth eye on the NFC playoff image as video games unfolded.
“I pay a whole lot of consideration to it,” he mentioned Tuesday throughout a videoconference with reporters, “and I inform myself to not get emotionally invested in these video games, and then you definately get invested and also you’re saying, ‘Why the hell did I try this?’”
The Rams are 8-7, and so they presently maintain the No. 6 seed within the NFC.
They will guarantee themselves a postseason berth in the event that they defeat the Giants (5-10) on Sunday and the San Francisco 49ers within the season finale.
But that isn’t the one situation that might put the Rams within the playoffs after lacking out final season due to a historic Tremendous Bowl hangover.
The Rams can clinch a playoff spot Sunday in the event that they defeat the Giants at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., and the No. 7 Seahawks (8-7) lose to the Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7) in Seattle.
The Rams can also clinch in the event that they defeat the Giants, and the Inexperienced Bay Packers (7-8) and the Minnesota Vikings (7-8) tie in Minneapolis.
“What I do know is true is that we’ve bought to proceed to deal with what we are able to management — and that’s the Giants,” McVay mentioned. “However I’m very conscious of all of the issues which can be occurring. However I do suppose it’s essential to not let that take away from the duty at hand, as a result of you will get caught up with different stuff and taking part in the ‘what-if’ recreation.
“And what I believe the very best factor this group has performed is that they have targeted on what they will management to place themselves able even to have the conversations we’re having now.”
After dropping to the Inexperienced Bay Packers on Nov. 5 — with quarterback Matthew Stafford sidelined due to a proper thumb harm — the Rams had an off week on Nov. 12 to heal, relaxation and ponder their 3-6 file.
They’ve since received 5 of six video games, the one defeat a 37-31 time beyond regulation loss to the Baltimore Ravens, the top-seeded group within the AFC.
Final Thursday, the Rams defeated the New Orleans Saints 30-22 at SoFi Stadium, a victory that put them over .500.
“Since we got here out that bye week, it was a playoff environment,” security John Johnson mentioned after the victory over the Saints. “We had a whole lot of floor to make up. Lots.
“So, we bought again even. Now we’re again to optimistic and it’s life like. … I believe we’ve got a very good shot, we simply need to preserve ballin’.”
Whereas Stafford has been distinctive, and the Rams’ protection has been taking part in nicely sufficient to win, particular groups stay a difficulty.
Kicker Lucas Havrisik has made 15 of 20 field-goal makes an attempt, however solely two of six from between 40 and 49 yards. McVay intimated final week {that a} 47-yard miss towards the Saints was a snap operation breakdown.
Lengthy snapper Alex Ward is on injured reserve due to a neck subject, and Carson Tinker has snapped the final two video games. The Rams on Tuesday minimize working again Darrell Henderson from the observe squad and signed snapper Alex Matheson “as a possible technique to get some competitors” at that spot, McVay mentioned.